The Lion's Paw

The Lion's Paw is the story of three kids Nick 9, Penny 13, brother and sister,who run away from the orphanage, and Ben 15, who owns the sloop on which they hide. Ben's uncle is about to sell the boat because Ben's father has been long missing in action and belived dead. Ben escapes with the orphans on the sloop and the adventure begins. As soon as the lines are cast off their lives and the sloop are under their own control. They blend their skills and strengths to overcome all sorts of new challenges and hardships to escape their persuers. The crew of the Lion's Paw learn to trust each other, work as a team, ignore pain, have fun and never give up! (A good plan for life!!) Each of the characters have qualities young people can admire. Nick the youngest takes the responsibility of steering the boat at night so the others can sleep and fights the alligator in spite of his fear. Penny carries the paint and rows the dinghy without complaint, because it must be done. Ben the oldest, knows about the boat and what they must do to eacape, he is wise, strong and caring beyond his years. Personal: I too had The Lion's Paw read to my 5th grade class at South Grade at Lake Worth Fla. by Mrs. Mitchell. I messed about in boats had crushes on girls, searched for'Penny',and 37 years later I sailed out of Palm Beach inlet for the Bahamas with my wife, two young daughters and 'the book' aboard our sloop..well can you guess its name? History: Robb White married Rodie at Thomasville Ga. and lived for a time on Dog cay? which later became? Marina cay and a book 'Our Virgin Island' and 'Two on the Island'. He seperated from Rodie and his son, moved to L.A. wrote for movies? andTV? He died in '93. His son Robb lives on the famly estate in Thomasville, has developed several independent wood boat building methods and is a prolific writer for several wood boat magazines. The rights to the story rest with Robb's second wife Annie, which I guess published the book again in '83 but Ive never seen one. Movie? some talk, we who are passionate all these years have been seeing this in our minds all along.. can I be techinical advisor?

Mrs. Nolan read The Lion's Paw to our 4th grade class at Brookshire Elementary in Winter Park, Florida in 1965. I never forgot how very much I loved the story and was inspired by Mrs. Nolan.When I became a 4th grade teacher I very much wanted to share this story with my class. After several deadends, I was thrilled to discover our media specialist considered it her favorite childhood book, too, and had a copy in her personal collection! She kindly let me borrow it, even after I moved to a new school. Last year, my class presented me with a gift certificate which covered the cost of an original copy in very good condition. Once again, a brand new group of fourth graders is already completely captivated by Penny and Nick's plight....just two days into the new school year! Florida's geographical regions will come alive to them as we follow the storyline across the map. Besides utilizing math and science skills, I also integrate it into our character education program. The orphans and Ben demonstrate so many of the traits that we try to reinforce (or introduce!!) each and every day at our school. I am so pleased to be able to use this book to inspire a whole new group of young readers and budding writers. Thanks, Mrs. Nolan, and Robb White. I hope that Mr. White's family is pleased to see his work still have such an impact on yet another generation!

When I was in 6th grade in St. Cloud, FL, my teacher read The Lion's Paw to us. It was always a favorite of mine. When I rediscovered it when teaching 4th grade, I added a geography twist to it for my students. Where did Penny, Nick, and Ben start? They loved tracing their route on the map. We made a quilt one year of their favorite parts of the story. I have been teaching for 20+ years and still read it to my students. Some years they beg me to read it a second time. The alligator hunt is so alive for them with his description of Nick's adventure. Tears at the end of the story from everyone. Happy tears or sad tears? A must read to find out.